Planning a Family Vacation to Vail

The Art of Travelling with Kids ( part 1)

It should come as no surprise that Forbes.com continuously lists Vail, Colorado as one of the most family friendly ski resorts in North America. Between its grand annual snowfalls, brilliantly located lodging, abundant recreation, food and dining opportunities it’s the perfect place to spend time with the ones you love most.

Travelling with kids is an art form on its own and it is important to be strategic when choosing a good resort. Vail has been named the number one ski resort in America in part, because it has something for everyone. Terrain options range from easy greens right through to double blacks, with untouched out of bounds choices too. The resort also offers beginner, intermediate and advanced ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults, or you can choose to take a private family lesson and learn all together!

Family Friendly TO DO’s

While the riding is fantastic, you certainly don’t have to spend everyday on the hill (but you can if you want!). Vail offers tons of off hill activities for everyone in the family. For the adrenaline junkies, Adventure Ridge is the place to be. It has heart racing family fun like snow tubing, ziplining, ski biking and a kid specific snowmobiling track with mini mobiles for the young ones. Or, for something more relaxed, try a winter trip in a hot air balloon. You get beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains, a chance to see the local wildlife and you can pick out tomorrows ski lines from high up in the sky. Alternatively, take a spin around the scenic outdoor skating rinks, brush up on your ten pin skills at Bol Vail, a world class bowling and dining venue or take a load off those feet at CineBistro, a comfortable cinematic experience like no other!

A huge perk of visiting Vail is its pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The villages are located at the base of over 5,000 acres of skiable terrain, and they are interconnected by easy to navigate walking paths and reliable bus transportation. This means easy access to hill, shopping, dining and the many winter activities Vail has to offer. It’s a great opportunity to leave the minivan at home and unbuckle for a week of stress free living.

Check out our great Early Booking Offers! Finding the perfect place to call home for the holidays is easy in Vail, with numerous lodging options located right on or near the ski hill. Proximity is helpful, but it’s also nice to have après ski amenities like heated outdoor pools, saunas, spas and hot tubs as well as in room options for making dinners and vegging out. For family friendly, ski-in/ski-out options check out Vail Cascade Resort & Spa and Lion Square Lodge.Tivoli Lodge is another awesome choice for families. For the next closest thing, seek out The Lodge at Vail and Christiania Lodge. If you’re looking for the epitome of mountainside lodging, check out the Game Creek Chalet by The Arrabelle. There are lots of condo style lodging options that give you a bit more room to spread out and relax. Check out The Landmark or the Ritz Carlton Club and Residences.

Family Dining

Vail takes the guessing game out of dining with youngsters. They pride themselves on having family establishments that don’t make you feel like you’re at Chucky Cheese. On hill options for grub are plentiful, including a pit stop bite at Two Elk or for something a little more sophisticated, try the newest trailside addition, The 10th, for a slightly upscale spin on American comfort food. Après ski at Garkfinkel’s is a local’s favorite, with a big patio to sip on some tasty beverages and recount the day’s events, or, grab a slice at Pazzo’s Pizzeria, a Vail staple. For a dinner to remember, consider the trip to Bearcat Cabin, which starts with a peaceful, cozy sleigh ride to a historic Colorado cabin where you’ll be treated to world class cuisine in mountainside comfort.

Guess Who’s Coming to Town

The holiday season is full of reasons to pack up the kids and hit the town. Vail Snowdaze (December 11 – 13, 2015) is a great way to kick off the early season with fresh tracks and snowy adventures. They have high profile live entertainment acts, sponsor expos and loads of all day activities to keep everyone happy. Next up is Vail Family Holidaze (December 19, 20 & 31st) which is a great way to spend Christmas in the Village. The festival guarantees a relaxing and picturesque family experience that’s easy on the pocketbook. It’s full of opportunities to bask in the warm glow of the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Lantern Walk, or ring in the New Year with the Torch Parade and fireworks display. Browse our winter blogfor more insights about this coming winter.
Whatever your mission for the family getaway, Vail has got you covered. But don’t take our word for it, see for yourself why Vail is the ideal spot for you and yours and let our friendly team at Enjoy Vail help you plan your getaway. After all, the family that plays together stays together!